UN Climate Negotiations: Priorities And Concerns For Sri Lanka

November 18, 2015

The workshop on Climate Change: Priorities and Concerns for Sri Lanka was held at The Kingsbury Colombo, 16 November 2015 organised by the Climate Action Network South Asia and Southern Voices, in collaboration with Janathakshkan and Sri Lankan Youth Climate Action Network. The workshop discussed the priorities for Sri Lanka at the 21st Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC, and the concept of adaptation and how Sri Lanka as a developing nation can employ it as a strategy to confront climate change.

“Climate change is one of the key threats faced by the world today. It aggravates and contributes to several developmental issues in vulnerable countries. In order to address impacts of climate change, it is important that the UN negotiations in Paris provide solutions that addresses the needs of the poor and the vulnerable” said Navam Niles, Member of the Board of Directors, Climate Action Network South Asia, and consultant at Janathakshan.

Nilmini Ranasinghe, Environment Management Officer of Climate Change Secretariat of Sri Lanka informed, “The Ministry of Environment has developed its intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs). The emission reductions provided through them are 23% in total, including 7% which is unconditional, and the rest being conditional based on the support available”

“The INDCs focus on both mitigation and adaptation, and adaptation is one of the key priorities for Sri Lanka,” she added.

Further highlighting the need for the country to move onto a low carbon development, and renewable energy pathway, Asoka Abeygunewadena, Chairman Strategic Enterprise Management Agency emphasized on the need for policies of institutions to be in line with the government policies. “The present long term generation plans of the Ceylon Electricity Board are not in line with the government policy based on the President Maithripala’s manifesto. We are currently working on deciding on the evaluating the finances and support needed to implement the renewable energy targets, and the feasibility of implementing them with the funding availability.” He added that he was confident that the renewable energy pathway was the best option available, and that it is achievable.

Dr. Buddhi Marambe, Director Agricultural Unit, University of Peradeniya reinstated the fact that Sri Lanka is on the verge of completing the national adaptation plan  (NAP) which caters to priority sectors for adaptation in Sri Lanka. “The NAP in Sri Lanka is a rolling plan, and has been developed with the consultation of many stakeholders. It is expected to be finalized by end of the month, and is in its final touches. Once completed, it will be the primary basis for country’s adaptation activities.”

Speaking at the event, Motsomi Maletjane, Programme Officer, Adaptation, UNFCCC, expressed that NAPs are a key element of adaptation actions, and that play a key role in addressing climate change at the national and the international level.

The event also discussed the need for focusing on bio-diversity in addressing climate change in the country, Sri Lanka being among 34 global biodiversity hotspots, as well as the need to addressing development while being sensitive to the impacts of climate change.

“The COP in Paris is a key moment to ensure that the world is moving towards a positive pathway to address impacts of climate change. An outcome which is legally binding, equitable as well as ambitious is a must to achieve this objective,” said Policy and Advocacy Coordinator of Climate Action Network, Vositha Wijenayake.